Stop! Your Lease Extension in Handforth Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Handforth are unaware that their original lawyer had a duty to warn them about future mortgageability and saleability issues. Before you pay thousands to your freeholder, let us audit your purchase history. You might have a claim that pays for your lease extension in full

If you are facing a significant premium because your lease in Handforth has dropped toward the 80-year mark, your previous lawyer may be at fault. Our panel of experts specialise in recovering lease extension costs from negligent firms who failed to protect your investment.

Main reasons to start your Handforth lease extension


Why you should commence your Handforth lease extension today:

Increase your lease and increase your Handforth property value

Handforth leases on residential properties are gradually diminishing in value. The shorter the remaining lease term becomes, the less it is worth – and as a result any extension of your lease becomes more expensive. The majority of owners of residential leasehold property in Handforth enjoy rights under legislation to extend the terms of their leases. If you are a leasehold owner in Handforth you must see if your lease has between 70 and ninety years left. There are compelling reasons why a Handforth leaseholder with a lease having around 80 years remaining should take action to ensure that a lease extension is effected without delay

Handforth property with a lease extension is almost the same value as a freehold

It is conventional wisdom that a property with in excess of one hundred years remaining is worth roughly the equivalent as a freehold. Where an further ninety years added to all but the shortest lease, the property will be worth the same as a freehold for many years ahead.

Lending institutions may not grant a mortgage on a short lease

Banks and Building Societies are less likely to grant a mortgage on a domestic flat in Handforth with a short lease. Some lenders simply refuse a mortgage on leases with below 75 years left.

Lender Requirement
Accord Mortgages 85 years from the date of completion of the mortgage. Please ensure that you explain the implications of a short term lease to the borrower.
Bank of Scotland Minimum 70 years from the date of the mortgage.
National Westminster Bank Mortgage term plus 30 years.

For Shared Ownership, the remaining term of the lease must be at least 30 years plus the term of the mortgage at the outset of the mortgage.
Skipton Building Society 85 years from the date of completion of the mortgage

For Buy to Let cases:
- lettings must not breach any of the lessee’s covenants; and
- consent of the lessor to lettings must be obtained if necessary
TSB Minimum of 70 years at mortgage commencement, with 30 years remaining at mortgage redemption.

Get in touch with one of our Handforth lease extension solicitors or enfranchisement solicitors

Regardless of whether you are a tenant or a landlord in Handforth,the lease extension experts that we work with will always be happy to discuss any residential leasehold matters and offer you the benefit of their in-depth market knowledge and the close ties they enjoy with Handforth valuers.

Handforth Lease Extension Case Summaries:

Hunter, Handforth, Cheshire,

Hunter owned a high value apartment in Handforth being sold with a lease of a few days over 59 years outstanding. Hunter informally contacted his freeholder being a well known London-based freehold company and enquired on a premium to extend the lease. The freeholder was prepared to agree an extension on non-statutory terms taking the lease to 125 years subject to a new rent to start with set at £150 per annum and doubled every twenty five years thereafter. Ordinarily, ground rent would not be due on a lease extension were Hunter to invoke his statutory right. Hunter procured expert advice and was able to make a more informed decision and deal with the matter and ending up with a market value flat.

Handforth case:

In 2012 we were e-mailed by Ms F Petit who, having bought a one bedroom apartment in Handforth in May 2004. The dilemma was if we could shed any light on how much (roughly) premium would likely be to extend the lease by an additional years. Similar residencies in Handforth with a long lease were worth £200,000. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £50 billed quarterly. The lease finished on 11 June 2103. Given that there were 77 years unexpired we approximated the premium to the landlord to extend the lease to be between £8,600 and £9,800 plus fees.

Handforth case:

Dr Sarah Clarke acquired a purpose-built apartment in Handforth in April 1995. The dilemma was if we could estimate the price could be for a 90 year lease extension. Identical flats in Handforth with an extended lease were in the region of £265,200. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £65 collected annually. The lease ended in 2092. Considering the 66 years left we calculated the premium to the freeholder to extend the lease to be between £15,200 and £17,600 exclusive of fees.